After 15 years at the helm of Danish football Morten Olsen has finally stepped down as the manager of the national team. Following failures to qualify for both the last World Cup and the Euros, the grandfather of sport felt it was time to give someone else a chance. The coveted position was given to Åge Hareide, a Norwegian and the only manager to win league titles in all Scandinavian countries. Despite that impressive accolade, his appointment was heavily criticized in Danish football circles. The way Hareide's new Denmark started World Cup qualification this overall disapproval seemed justified. Back to back losses in October 2016 to Poland and Montenegro were signs of the team struggling to adapt to Hareide's new style. 

The Danish Federation stayed confident with their choice and were rewarded. After that dark October, Denmark has never lost a competitive match, going the entire 2017 undefeated. The new Denmark is dynamic and its beating heart is Tottenham's, Christian Eriksen. Eriksen is everything to this team and as much as the team is Hareide's it is Eriksen's. The four-time Danish Footballer of the Year is still only 26 and could be on his way out of Spurs if he has a good tournament. Sisto whose inclusion in the starting lineup coincided with Denmark's upturn in form gives Denmark a direct attacking option. Sisto has Rommedal-like speed and can provide a cross. Thomas Delaney has evolved since his Bundesliga move and is becoming an authentic midfield general. The centre-back options for Denmark are impressive. Team captain Simon Kjær just had the season of his career at Sevilla and his partner could either be young Christensen, Zanka or Vestergaard. These players are big units that ensure Denmark will at least be dominant in the air. Kasper Schmeichel provides great security behind the defence. 

There were some contentious decisions made by Hareide in his final squad selections. There is no place in the squad for Riza Durmisi or Daniel Wass, the La Liga pair are both coming off strong seasons in Spain but apparently didn't do enough to convince the boss. Bendtner was also a late exclusion, even though he has more goals for his country than anyone on the plane to Russia. Included instead is Ajax wonderkid Kasper Dolberg, a player who has struggled to replicate his breakout year the season before.

 

 

 

 

Head Coach: Åge Hareide

 

Population: 5 million

 

Appearances: 5

 

Best: Winners 1998

 

How they Qualified: Back to back defeats to group winners Poland and third-placed Montenegro in October 2016 were the Danes only sore spot in qualifying. After that Erisken and Denmark remained undefeated in the next nine games to qualify for World Cup 2018. 

 

Star Players: Christian Eriksen(Tottenham), Kasper Schmeichel(Leicester City), Simon Kjær (Sevilla), Thomas Delaney(Borussia Dortmund ), Pione Sisto(Celta Vigo)

 

Wildcard: Yussuf Poulsen-The forward has been with RB Leipzig for the last 5 seasons since joining them in the 3rd tier of German football. As the club has grown he has done so as well and the time seems right for him to have a big impact for his national team. 

 

Legend:Michael Laudrup

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